Foreign Languages and Literatures BA

Are you interested in learning and teaching a foreign language? Do you want to add a global element to your educational experience?

The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures offers a bachelor of arts degree in foreign languages and literatures with six focus areas: French, French education, German, German education, global studies, Hispanic studies, and Hispanic studies education.

The French program at East Carolina University teaches French and Francophone language and culture at all levels. From beginning language classes to advanced courses on culture, literature and cinema, we aim to provide a global perspective as well as a focused knowledge base that prepares students for jobs after graduation in areas like the Foreign Service, military, business, education and public service.

Students can expect to perfect French-speaking skills, as well as acquire expertise to address relevant issues concerning cultural literacy, international communication, gender politics and global diversity. These skills prepare our students for successful study abroad programs in Europe and other French-speaking countries across the world, including Africa, Canada, the Middle East and the Caribbean. Our limited class enrollments, and our personal approach to advising, assure student success here at ECU and after graduation.

Learning Spanish in ECU's Hispanic studies program will prepare you for a wide range of careers in health care, education, government, social work, business, and many others in the national and international arena. You will acquire communicative competence in Spanish, as well as the cultural and literary heritage pertaining to a language whose origins go back to the 8th century, and which by 2050, will be spoken by more than 30 percent of the population in the United States.

If you're interested in teaching, the BS in German is an option. Its course of study prepares students to teach elementary and high school German after college. Students take advantage of all of our program's offerings, including our cultural events, one-on-one mentoring, study abroad opportunities, and career counseling.

Most students come to us with no background in German. No problem! If you have some ability in the language, great! We can place you in the appropriate class and get you that much closer to your degree. Either way, we provide a high-quality education designed to help you achieve competency in the target culture and language. We also help you develop your critical thinking skills. As a student, you'll need these proficiencies in the global economies and communities of the twenty-first century.

We mentor students individually regarding their educational and career goals, and this individualized attention has benefits. Our majors have received grants from organizations such as Fulbright, DAAD, and even the Federal Republic of Germany. Students also have presented their original research at conferences, had their research accepted for publication, and obtained employment in education or with multinational companies here and in Europe.

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